Reading merit badge

Learn how to use the library (card file or computer), and with the assistance of your
counselor or your librarian, select six books of four diverse types (such as poetry,
drama/plays, fiction, nonfiction, and biographies). After you have read this material,
discuss your reading with the counselor or librarian. Using your log as a reference,
explain why you chose the material, whether you enjoyed it, and what it meant to you.

Read two books or material from any two sources (magazines, newspapers, field manuals,
etc.) about the world around you (sports, environmental problems, politics, religion,
etc.) and discuss your reading with your counselor.

From a catalog of your choice, fill out the application as if you intended to place an
order, and discuss it with your counselor.

Choose ONE of the following activities and devote at least 4 hours of service to that
activity:

Read to a sick, blind (contact the American Foundation for the Blind at 1-800-232-5463),
or homebound person, in a hospital or in an extended-care facility.

Perform volunteer work at your school or public library.

Read stories to younger children, in a group or individually.

Assist in a literacy program (the National Institute for Literacy may
be contacted at 1-800-228-8813;by Internet address:
http://novel.nifl.gov; or National Institute for Literacy, 800
Connecticut Avenue N. W., Suite 200 Washington, DC 20006, for
information about the nearest library center) and discuss your
participation with your counselor.